Docking cradle for a handheld computing device having multiple mounting orientations

ABSTRACT

A docking cradle for a handheld computing device, such as a handheld controller, remote control, tablet computer, smartphone or other electronic device. The docking cradle is configured to be mountable to a horizontal mounting surface (e.g., a table or other horizontal surface), or a vertical mounting surface (e.g., a seatback or wall), while in either mounting orientation, the docking cradle holds the computing device in substantially the same orientation for convenient use and access by a user.

BACKGROUND

The field of the invention generally relates to docking cradles forhandheld computing devices, and more particularly, to a docking cradlefor a handheld computing device which can mount to a vertical mountingsurface or a horizontal mounting surface in which the computing deviceis in the same orientation.

Many vehicles of common carriers, such as airplanes, passenger trains,buses, cruise ships, and the like, have individualized functionalequipment dedicated to a particular passenger seat which can be utilizedby the passenger, such as video and/or audio entertainment systems,adjustable seats, adjustable environmental controls, adjustablelighting, telephony systems, crew communication systems, and the like.For example, many commercial airplanes have individualized video andaudio entertainment systems, often referred to as “in-flightentertainment” or “IFE” systems.

As one example of a passenger seat function, the entertainment systems(e.g., an IFE system) for passenger carrier vehicles, such as commercialairlines, often include in-seat video display units installed at eachpassenger seat. For instance, video display units may be mounted at eachof the seatbacks of the passenger seats. The entertainment systemincludes a centralized entertainment system server which is networked toeach of the video display units via a communication network. Theentertainment system server distributes media content (e.g., videos,audio, movies, television shows, etc.) to each of the video displayunits. Generally, the entertainment system allows each passenger toselect from multiple video channels and/or audio channels, or evenindividually select and play videos and/or audio from a library ofvideos and audio content. The video displays may also provide games,communication applications (e.g., telephone service, messaging, etc.),internet browsing, and other computer applications. In some systems, thevideo displays may be smart monitors which can run computer applicationsand process and store data internally.

To operate the seat functions, such as the video display system,environmental controls, seat adjustment, etc., controls are provided onor near the passenger seat that allow the passenger to control the seatfunctions. The controls may be physical buttons, or on-screen interfacesdisplayed, for instance, on a touchscreen of the video display unit, oron a separate controller having a touchscreen display. For example, somecommercial airplane entertainment systems have on-screen interfaces forcontrolling a reading light, activating a crew member call signal, aswell as controlling the audio/video entertainment. Some systems utilizea tethered handheld controller which is connected via a cable to thevideo display unit or to an arm rest of the passenger seat. The cableelectrically connects the handheld controller to the video display unitand also physically connects the controller to the seat location.Tethering of the handheld controller allows a passenger to convenientlyhold the controller for controlling the seat functions, while alsopreventing the controller from being removed by the passenger from theparticular seat, or from the vehicle itself. However, tethering thecontroller also has a number of shortcomings. The tethering cable can bea nuisance which interferes with the ingress/egress of adjacentpassengers and access to a seatback tray or other articles in and aroundthe seat, and also limits the range in which the controller can belocated such as when a passenger reclines a seat or moves further fromthe tethered location.

In order to overcome some of the drawbacks of tethered handheldcontrollers, wireless handheld controllers have been disclosed. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 9,584,846, discloses a docking cradle for holdingand locking a wireless, handheld controller in the cradle. Thecontroller has a form factor similar to a mobile phone. The dockingcradle has a recessed area for receiving and holding the controller. Thecradle has a locking tab which retains the controller in the cradle. Thelocking tab is coupled to a manually actuated button to actuate thelocking tab to release the controller from the cradle. The cradle alsohas an electronically controlled lock which locks and unlocks the buttonfrom being actuated to release the controller. The electronicallycontrolled lock is controlled by a printed circuit board (PCB) attachedto a support structure on the bottom of the cradle. The PCB activatesthe electronically controlled lock in response to a lock/unlock controlsignal from a crew management terminal. As the cradle and supportstructure for the PCB are integrated, the cradle and PCB are notseparable to provide multiple mounting options. In addition, releasingthe controller from the cradle requires manually actuating button, andtherefore the cradle cannot fully release the controller electronically.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an innovativedocking cradle for a handheld computing device, such as a remotecontroller or tablet computer. The docking cradle can mount to avertical mounting surface or a horizontal mounting surface, and ineither case, the computing device is in substantially the sameorientation for convenient use and access by a user. In addition, thedocking cradle can completely lock and unlock the computing device inthe cradle electronically in response to a lock/unlock control signalfrom a central computerized management system. In another aspect, thedocking cradle is mountable at a passenger seat of a passenger vehicle,as part of an onboard entertainment system. The passenger vehicle may beof any type having a plurality of passenger seats, including acommercial airplane, train, trolley, bus, ship, ferry, automobile,truck, etc.

The docking cradle includes a cradle assembly and a separate electronicbox assembly. The electronic box assembly is configured to be mounted toa mounting structure at the passenger seat, such as to a seat back,table, or other suitable structure. The cradle assembly attaches to theelectronic box assembly. The cradle assembly comprises a cradle housinghaving a front side, a bottom side, a top side and a back side. Thefront side of the housing has a slot for slidably receiving thecomputing device and holding the computing device in a substantiallyvertical orientation so that the computing device is convenientlyviewable and accessible to a user.

The electronic box assembly includes an enclosure and an electronicmodule contained within the enclosure. The electronic module may includeelectronics for operating an electronic, motorized latch assembly in thecradle assembly for locking/unlocking the handheld computing device inthe docking cradle. In particular, wiring connects the electronics inthe electronic box assembly to the motorized latch assembly in thecradle assembly. The enclosure has a first side and a second sideopposing the first side such that the electronic module is disposedbetween the first side and second side. The electronic module mayinclude a PCB and other electronics. The electronic box assembly alsohas a horizontal mounting flange attached to and extending outwardsubstantially perpendicularly from the first side. The horizontalmounting flange is for attaching the cradle assembly to the electronicbox assembly in a horizontal mount configuration in which electronic boxassembly is mounted to a mounting structure with the first side beingoriented substantially horizontally. The electronic box assembly alsohas a vertical mounting flange attached to and extending upwardsubstantially parallel to the first side. The vertical mounting flangeis for attaching the cradle assembly to the electronic box assembly in avertical mount configuration in which the electronic box assembly ismounted to a mounting structure with the first side being orientedsubstantially vertically.

Accordingly, the docking cradle has two different mountingconfigurations, referred to as a horizontal mount and a vertical mount,based upon the orientation of the mounting structure to which thedocking cradle is mounted and the orientation of the electronic boxassembly as mounted to the mounting structure. In the horizontal mount,the electronic box would typically be mounted to a horizontal mountingstructure (e.g., a table), and in the vertical mount, the electronic boxwould typically be mounted to a vertical mounting structure (e.g., aseat back or vehicle wall).

In the horizontal mount configuration, the electronic box assembly isconfigured for mounting to a horizontal mounting structure with thefirst side of the electronic box oriented substantially horizontally.The cradle assembly is attached to the electronic box assembly with thecradle housing sitting on top of the first side of the enclosure suchthat the bottom of the cradle housing rests on the first side of theenclosure.

In the vertical mount configuration, the electronic box assembly isconfigured for mounting to a vertical mounting structure with the firstside of the electronic box oriented substantially vertically. The cradleassembly is attached to the electronic box assembly with the first sideof the enclosure of the electronic box assembly bearing against the backside of the cradle housing.

In another aspect of the docking cradle, in the horizontal mountconfiguration, the horizontal mounting flange is attached to the backside of the housing using one or more fasteners. Furthermore, thevertical mounting flange may bear against the bottom side of the cradlehousing.

In still another aspect, in the vertical mount configuration, thevertical mounting flange is attached to the back side of the housingusing one or more fasteners. In addition, the horizontal mounting flangemay bear against the bottom side of the cradle housing.

In another feature, the cradle assembly may further comprise a cradleconnector which connects to a computing device connector on thecomputing device when the computing device is installed in the slot inorder to provide a conductive electrical connection between thecomputing device and the docking cradle. In another aspect, the cradleconnector may be a spring-loaded pin connector, such as a POGO styleconnector.

In still another feature of the docking cradle, the cradle assembly mayalso include a motorized latch assembly configured to releasably lockthe computing device into the slot. In yet another aspect, the motorizedlatch assembly may include: a motor coupled to a drive shaft; a camdisposed on the drive shaft; and a latch coupled to the cam such thatrotation of the cam moves the latch between a locked position and anunlocked position. In the locked position, the latch engages a detent ofthe computing device locking the computing device into the slot. In theunlocked position, the latch is disengaged from the detent therebyallowing the computing device to be removed from the slot. The motorizedlatch assembly may also have a biasing device (e.g., a spring) whichbiases the latch toward the locked position.

In another feature, the motorized latch assembly may be operably coupledto, and controllable by, a central management computer system. Forinstance, the motorized latch assembly may be connected to theelectronic module which is in turn connected to the central managementcomputer system.

In another aspect, the cradle assembly includes a wireless communicationmodule configured to wirelessly communicate with the computing device.For instance, the wireless communication module may be utilized tocommunicate with the computing device when the computing device isremoved from the slot such that it is not connected to the conductivecradle connector.

In still another aspect, the docking cradle may be utilized in anonboard entertainment system on a passenger vehicle, such as an IFE. Thedocking cradle is mounted to a support structure of the vehicle. Thedocking cradle is operably coupled to an in-seat video display systemand/or an entertainment system server. For example, the electronicsmodule of the docking cradle may be operably connected to the in-seatvideo display system such that the computing device can receive inputsfrom a user to control the video display system and/or other seatfunctions, and send control signals to the video display system tocontrol the video display system and/or other seat functions. Thedocking cradle and computing device may also be configured to receivemedia content from the entertainment system server (e.g., via the videodisplay system) to play the media content on the computing device, suchthat the computing device is an auxiliary video monitor to a main videomonitor of the video display system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments are described in furtherdetail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements and the description for likeelements shall be applicable for all described embodiments whereverrelevant:

FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a docking cradle for a handheldcomputing device, in a horizontal mount configuration, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective view of the docking cradle of FIG. 1, in ahorizontal mount configuration, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a rear, perspective, exploded view of the docking cradle ofFIG. 1, in a horizontal mount configuration, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of the docking cradle of FIG. 1, ina vertical mount configuration, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a rear, perspective view of the docking cradle of FIG. 1, in avertical mount configuration, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a rear, perspective, exploded view of the docking cradle ofFIG. 1, in a vertical mount configuration, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a front, perspective view of the cradle assembly of thedocking cradle of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a rear, perspective view of the cradle assembly of the dockingcradle of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front, perspective, exploded view of the cradle assembly ofthe docking cradle of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a rear, perspective, partial exploded view of the cradleassembly with the rear cover removed, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear, perspective, exploded view of the motorized latchassembly and front cover of the cradle assembly, according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front, perspective view of the electronic box assembly ofthe docking cradle of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective, view of the electronic box assembly ofthe docking cradle of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a front, perspective, exploded view of the electronic boxassembly of the docking cradle of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 15 is a block schematic diagram of the docking cradle of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block schematic diagram of a handheld computing device foruse with the docking cradle of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a block schematic diagram of an onboard entertainment systemthat includes the docking cradle and handheld computing device accordingto embodiments disclosed herein, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to an innovative docking cradle for ahandheld computing device. The handheld computing device may be anysuitable electronic device, such as a handheld controller, remotecontrol, tablet computer, smartphone or other electronic device. Forexample, the handheld computing device may be a tablet computer which isconfigured as a remote control for a video display unit of an onboardentertainment system (e.g., an IFE system) of a passenger vehicle. Inone feature, the docking cradle is configured to be mountable to ahorizontal mounting surface (e.g., a table or other horizontal surface),or a vertical mounting surface (e.g., a seatback or wall), while ineither mounting orientation, the docking cradle holds the computingdevice in substantially the same orientation for convenient use andaccess by a user. For instance, the docking cradle may hold thecomputing device in a vertical orientation, a substantially verticalorientation, or a small angle away from vertical, such that a displaymonitor and/or input device of the computing device is easily viewed bythe user and accessible by the user while the computing device isinstalled in the docking cradle. In this way, the user can convenientlyuse the computing device while it is installed in the docking cradle. Inaddition, the docking cradle has an electronic locking mechanism to lockand unlock the computing device in the cradle from a central managementcomputer system.

Although the embodiment described herein may be used in an onboardentertainment system by mounting the docking cradle at a passenger seat,the docking cradle is not limited to such installations, but can beutilized in any suitable application, such as in schools, libraries,public spaces, etc., where it is useful to be able to dock a handheldcomputing device and be capable of locking and unlocking the device inthe docking cradle.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of a docking cradle 10 forholding a handheld computing device 80 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) isillustrated. The docking cradle 10 comprises two main components,namely, a cradle assembly 12 and an electronic box assembly 14. Thedocking cradle 10 is removably attachable to the electronic box assembly14 using a plurality of fasteners 16, such as screws 16. As depicted inFIGS. 1-6, the docking cradle 10 has two different assemblyconfigurations between the cradle assembly 12 and the electronic boxassembly 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in a first configuration, referred to as ahorizontal mount configuration (or horizontal mount), electronic boxassembly 14 is configured to be mounted to a substantially horizontalmounting surface, such as a table, with a first side 18 of theelectronic box assembly 14 oriented in a substantially horizontalorientation. The cradle assembly 12 is attached to the electronic boxassembly 14 with the cradle assembly 12 sitting on top of the first side18.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, in a second configuration, referred to as avertical mount configuration (or vertical mount), the electronic boxassembly 14 is configured to be mounted to a substantially verticalmounting surface, such as a seatback or wall, with the first side 18 ofthe electronic box assembly 14 oriented in a substantially verticalorientation. The cradle assembly 12 is attached to the electronic boxassembly 14 with the first side 18 of the electronic box assemblybearing against the back side 20 of the cradle assembly 12.

In this way, the narrower dimension of the electronic box assembly 14extends away from the mounting surface in both the horizontal mount andthe vertical mount, resulting in an overall more compact installation.

Turning to FIGS. 7-11, the cradle assembly 12 includes a cradle housing22 which forms the main structure of the cradle assembly 12. The cradlehousing 22 has a front side 24, a bottom side 26, a top side 28 and aback side 20. As shown in FIG. 9, in the disclosed embodiment, thebottom side 26 and back side 20 may be an integral part which isremovable from the front side 24 such that it forms a cover 21 of thecradle housing 22. The cover 21 may attach to the front side 24 using aplurality of fasteners 23. The front side 24 has a slot 30 for slidablyreceiving the computing device 80 and holding the computing device 80 ina substantially vertical orientation. The slot 30 is formed by an outerwall 32 and a parallel, spaced apart inner wall 34. The slot 30 is openat the top and has a slot bottom 36 upon which the computing device 80rests when it is installed in the docking cradle 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the cradle assembly 12 also has anelectronic latch assembly 38 for releasably locking and unlocking thecomputing device 80 in the docking cradle 10. The electronic latchassembly 38 is housed in the cradle housing 22 and mounts to theinterior of the front side 24 of the cradle housing 22 using a pluralityof fasteners (e.g., screws). The electronic latch assembly 38 comprisesa latch frame 40. A drive shaft 42 is rotatably coupled to the latchframe 38. The latch assembly 38 has an electric motor 44 (e.g., anelectric stepper motor) mounted to the latch frame 40. A gear drive 46comprising a shaft gear 48 and a motor gear 50 couples the drive shaft42 to the electric motor 44. Each end of the drive shaft 42 has a cam 52which couples to a respective locking tab 54. The locking tabs 54 aremoved forward and backward by the rotation of the drive shaft 42 andgear drive 46 as they are driven by the electric motor 44. The latchassembly 38 has a biasing device 53, such as a spring, which biases thelocking tabs 54 toward the forward (locked) position. When in theforward position, the locking tabs 54 engage respective detents on theback of the computing device 80 when it is installed in the slot 32thereby locking the computing device 80 in the docking cradle 10. Whenin the backward position, the locking tabs 54 are disengaged from thedetents thereby allowing the computing device 80 to be removed from theslot 32 by sliding the computing device 80 upward and out of the slot32. The electric motor 44 is operably coupled to an electronic motorcontroller on a printed circuit board (PCB) 46 in the electronic boxassembly 14 (see FIGS. 12 and 14) which controls the operation of theelectronic latch assembly 38. The electric motor 44 may be connected tothe PCB 46 using a flex cable, or other suitable cable.

The cradle assembly 38 has a cradle connector 56 which extends throughan opening in the front side 24 and bottom side 26 of the cradle housing22. The cradle connector 56 is configured to electrically connect with acomputing device connector 104 (see FIG. 16) on the computing device 80to transmit power and data between the docking cradle 10 and thecomputing device 80. The cradle connector 56 may be a spring-loaded pinconnector, such as a POGO style connector. The cradle connector 56 isoperably coupled to the PCB 46.

Turning to FIGS. 12-14, the electronic box assembly 14 includes anenclosure 58 and the PCB 46 contained within the enclosure 58. The PCB46 includes electronic components mounted on the PCB 46 for operatingthe latch assembly 38 and for transmitting power and data between thedocking cradle 10 and a central management computer system 60 (see FIG.17). The enclosure 58 is a rectangular box having a first side 62 and asecond side 64 opposing the first side 62 with the PCB 46 disposedbetween the first side 62 and the second side 64. The enclosure 58 has ahorizontal mounting flange 64 attached to and extending outward from thefirst side 62. The horizontal mounting flange 64 extends substantiallyperpendicularly outward from the first side 62. As shown in FIGS. 2 and3, the horizontal mounting flange 64 is used to attach the cradleassembly 12 to the electronic box assembly 14 in the horizontal mountconfiguration.

The enclosure 58 also has a vertical mounting flange 66 attached to andextending upward substantially parallel to the first side 62. As shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, the vertical mounting flange 66 is used to attach thecradle assembly 12 to the electronic box assembly 14 in the verticalmount configuration.

The enclosure also has a pair of side mounting flanges 68 used to attachthe cradle assembly 12 to the electronic box assembly in both thehorizontal and vertical mount configurations.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electronic box assembly 14 has a computersystem connector 70 for electrically connecting the locking cradle 10 tothe central computer management system 60. The computer system connector70 is operably connected to the PCB 46. A flex cable (not shown)electrically connects the PCB 46 in the electronic box assembly 14 tothe cradle connector 56 and the electronic latch assembly 38 (e.g., theelectronic latch assembly 38 may be electrically connected to the cradleconnector 56, or it may have a separate connection to the flex cable).

The PCB 46 has a wireless communication module 72 configured to wirelesscommunicate with the computing device 80, such as when the computingdevice 80 is removed from the docking cradle 10. The computing device 80has a compatible wireless communication module 74 (see FIG. 16) forwireless communicating with the wireless communication module 72. Thewireless communication modules 72 and 74 may be any suitable wirelesscommunication modules, such as WLAN, wireless USB, WiMAX WiFi,Bluetooth, cellular phone communication, etc.

Referring to FIG. 15, a block schematic diagram of the docking cradle 10is illustrated. The docking cradle 10 includes a processor or logiccontrol circuit 82. The processor or logic control circuit 82 isconfigured to execute computer program instructions or logic to performthe functions described herein for the docking cradle 10. The dockingcradle 10 includes memory 84, a wired communication module 86 (e.g.,Ethernet adapter, or other suitable network adapter), a wirelesscommunication module 72, a storage device 83, and an electronic latchinterface 88 for controlling the electronic latch assembly 38. Each ofthese components may be disposed and operably interconnected on the PCB46.

Turning to FIG. 16, a block schematic diagram of an exemplary handheldcomputing device 80 is illustrated. The handheld computing device 80includes a processor 90 configured to execute computer programinstructions to perform the functions described herein for the computingdevice 80, including without limitation, functioning as a controllerfor: a display system of an onboard entertainment system, seatfunctions, and onboard communication functions, a secondary displaymonitor for an entertainment system, etc. The computing device 80further includes a wired networking interface 92 (e.g., Ethernetadapter, or other suitable network adapter), memory 94, a storage device96, system software 98 for operating the computing device 80, a wirelesscommunication module 74 (as described herein), an audio output interface100 and a touch screen display 102.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a block schematic diagram of an exemplaryonboard entertainment system 104 is illustrated. The onboardentertainment system 104 includes a central management computer system60. The central management computer system 60 includes an entertainmentsystem server 106. The entertainment system server 106 includes aprocessor 108, memory 110, a storage device 111 (e.g., for storing mediasuch as movies, music, etc. to be distributed to each of the seatdisplay systems 120), system software 112 for programming the processor108 to perform the entertainment system functions, a display monitor 114(e.g., a crew terminal), and a network adapter 116 (e.g., Ethernetadapter, or other suitable network adapter). The central computermanagement system 60 also has a network switch/adapter 118 fornetworking the central computer management system 60 to each of the Nnumber of seat display systems 120.

Each of the plurality of passenger seats 122 (only one passenger seat122 is shown in FIG. 17, with the understanding that the onboardentertainment system 104 includes N number of such passenger seats 122)is equipped with a seat display system 120, and a docking cradle 10 witha handheld computing device 80 installed on the docking cradle 10. Theseat display system 120 includes a video display/smart monitor 124 and anetwork adapter 126 (e.g., Ethernet adapter, or other suitable networkadapter). The network adapter 126 is in network communication with thenetwork switch/router 118, so that each of the N number of seat displaysystems 120 are in network communication with the entertainment systemserver 106. As described herein, the docking cradle 10 and the handheldcomputing device 80 are also in network communication with each otherand the seat display system 120.

As described herein, the central computer management system 60, seatdisplay system 120, and docking cradle 10 are configured to allow thecentral computer management system 60 to actuate the electronic latchassembly 38 of the docking cradle 10 at each of the passenger seats 122between the locked position and unlocked position by a central commandfrom central computer management system 60. For example, a crew membercan enter a lock or unlock command on the crew terminal 114. The centralcomputer management system 60 transmits the command to the seat displaysystem 120 at each of the affected seats 122. Each respective seatdisplay system 120 then transmits the command to the respective dockingcradle 10 which actuates the electronic latch assembly 38 in response tothe command.

Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it is tobe understood that the above description is not intended to limit thescope of these embodiments. While embodiments and variations of the manyaspects of the invention have been disclosed and described herein, suchdisclosure is provided for purposes of explanation and illustrationonly. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims. For example, not all of thecomponents described in the embodiments are necessary, and the inventionmay include any suitable combinations of the described components, andthe general shapes and relative sizes of the components of the inventionmay be modified. Accordingly, embodiments are intended to exemplifyalternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may fall within thescope of the claims. The invention, therefore, should not be limited,except to the following claims, and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking cradle for a handheld computing device,the docking cradle comprising: a cradle assembly comprising a cradlehousing having a front side, a bottom side, a top side and a back side,the front side of the cradle housing having a slot for slidablyreceiving the computing device and holding the computing device in asubstantially vertical orientation; the cradle assembly furthercomprising a cradle connector which connects to a computing deviceconnector on the computing device when the computing device is installedin the slot; and an electronic box assembly comprising an enclosure andan electronic module contained within the enclosure, the enclosurehaving a first side and a second side opposing the first side such thatthe electronic module is disposed between the first side and secondside, the electronic box assembly having a horizontal mounting flangeattached to and extending outward substantially perpendicularly from thefirst side, and a vertical mounting flange attached to and extendingupward substantially parallel to the first side; wherein the cradleassembly and electronic box assembly are configured to be attached toeach other in a horizontal mount, wherein the cradle assembly isattached to the electronic box assembly with the first side of theenclosure oriented substantially horizontally and the cradle housingsitting on top of the first side of the enclosure such that the bottomside of the cradle housing rests on the first side of the enclosure; andwherein the cradle assembly and electronic box assembly are configuredto be attached to each other in a vertical mount, wherein the cradleassembly is attached to the electronic box assembly with the first sideof the enclosure oriented substantially vertically and the first side ofthe enclosure bears against the back side of the cradle housing.
 2. Thedocking cradle of claim 1, wherein in the horizontal mountconfiguration, the horizontal mounting flange is attached to the backside of the cradle housing using one or more fasteners.
 3. The dockingcradle of claim 1, wherein in the vertical mount configuration, thevertical mounting flange is attached to the back side of the cradlehousing using one or more fasteners.
 4. The docking cradle of claim 1,wherein the cradle connector is a spring-loaded pin connector.
 5. Thedocking cradle of claim 1, wherein the cradle assembly further comprisesa motorized latch assembly configured to releasably lock the computingdevice into the slot.
 6. The docking cradle of claim 5, wherein themotorized latch assembly comprises: a motor coupled to a drive shaft; acam disposed on the drive shaft; and a latch coupled to the cam suchthat rotation of the cam moves the latch between a locked position inwhich the latch engages a detent of the computing device therebypreventing the computing device from being removed from the slot, and anunlocked position in which the latch is disengaged from the detentthereby allowing the computing device to be removed from the slot. 7.The docking cradle of claim 6, wherein the motorized latch assemblyfurther comprises a biasing device which biases the latch toward thelocked position.
 8. The docking cradle of claim 7, wherein the biasingdevice is a spring.
 9. The docking cradle of claim 5, wherein themotorized latch assembly is operably coupled to, and controllable by, anonboard management computer system.
 10. The docking cradle of claim 5,the motorized latch assembly is operably coupled to the electronicmodule, and the motorized latch assembly is controllable by an onboardmanagement computer system via the electronic module.
 11. The dockingcradle of claim 1, wherein the electronic module comprises a printedcircuit board.
 12. The docking cradle of claim 1, wherein the cradleassembly comprises a cradle connector which connects to a computingdevice connector on the computing device when the computing device isinstalled in the slot, and a wireless communication module configured towireless communicate with the computing device when the computing deviceis removed from the slot.
 13. A docking cradle for a handheld computingdevice, the docking cradle comprising: a cradle assembly comprising acradle housing having a front side, a bottom side, a top side and a backside, the front side of the cradle housing having a slot for receivingthe computing device and holding the computing device in a substantiallyvertical orientation, the cradle assembly comprising a cradle connectorwhich connects to a computing device connector on the computing devicewhen the computing device is installed in the slot and a wirelesscommunication module configured to wirelessly communicate with thecomputing device when the computing device is removed from the slot; anelectronic box assembly comprising an enclosure and an electronic modulecontained within the enclosure, the enclosure having a first side and asecond side opposing the first side such that the electronic module isdisposed between the first side and second side; wherein the cradleassembly and electronic box assembly are configured to be attached toeach other in a horizontal mount, wherein the cradle assembly isattached to the electronic box assembly with the first side of theenclosure oriented substantially horizontally and the cradle housingsitting on top of the first side of the enclosure such that the bottomside of the cradle housing rests on the first side of the enclosure; andwherein the cradle assembly and electronic box assembly are configuredto be attached to each other in a vertical mount, wherein the cradleassembly is attached to the electronic box assembly with the first sideof the enclosure oriented substantially vertically and the first side ofthe enclosure bearing against the back side of the cradle housing. 14.The docking cradle of claim 13, wherein the cradle assembly furthercomprises a cradle connector which connects to a computing deviceconnector on the computing device when the computing device is installedin the slot.
 15. The docking cradle of claim 14, wherein the cradleconnector is a spring-loaded pin connector.
 16. The docking cradle ofclaim 13, wherein the cradle assembly further comprises a motorizedlatch assembly configured to releasably lock the computing device intothe slot.
 17. The docking cradle of claim 16, wherein the motorizedlatch assembly comprises: a motor coupled to a drive shaft; a camdisposed on the drive shaft; and a latch coupled to the cam such thatrotation of the cam moves the latch between a locked position in whichthe latch engages a detent of the computing device thereby preventingthe computing device from being removed from the slot, and an unlockedposition in which the latch is disengaged from the detent therebyallowing the computing device to be removed from the slot.
 18. Thedocking cradle of claim 17, wherein the motorized latch assembly furthercomprises a biasing device which biases the latch toward the lockedposition.
 19. The docking cradle of claim 16, wherein the motorizedlatch assembly is operably coupled to, and controllable by, an onboardmanagement computer system.